Rachel is joining Sarah Raymond as a Special Education Paraprofessional and Substitute Teacher! After working as a lease auditor last year, she decided to pursue her dream of teaching and is currently working toward her professional teacher certification. With a background in Theatre, Rachel is excited to bring creativity and fun into the classroom while helping students see their potential.
Friends connected to District 87, including Mr. Hopper (Irving Elementary), who spoke highly of the D87 working environment, and Sarah Raymond, and her first visit confirmed it’s a wonderful, positive place for both staff and students!
Rachel is looking forward to learning all she can from her students and coworkers and becoming the best para and sub she can be as she continues to pursue her teaching license.
In her free time, she enjoys life with her 14-month-old daughter Maxine, husband Chris, and their pets—three dogs (Jordan, Gus, and Millie) and a cat named Kitty. She also loves gardening, studying plants, writing, and making her famous sea salt caramels!
Welcome to the D87 family, Rachel! We’re so glad to have you on the team. 💜
#WelcomeToD87 #WeAreD87

#LocalHistory #LearningIsFun #WeAreD87





Helping students become Attendance H.E.R.O.s (Here. Everyday. Ready. On-Time)
Next up, meet Tracy Wapp, our Attendance H.E.R.O. at BJHS! 🎉
💬 What she loves about her role:
“The relationships I’m able to make with both students and families.” 💕
⚾ Fun Fact: Tracy is a huge baseball addict! While she’s a die-hard fan of the KC Royals, she stays up-to-date on all things baseball. ⚾️👏
🤝 Favorite way to connect with students:
Tracy loves meeting students just as they are and supporting them in whatever way they need.
📢 Message to Families:
“I want to make this a great year for you and your student!”
Let’s hear it for Tracy as she helps our students knock it out of the park as Attendance H.E.R.O.s this year! 🎉
#AttendanceHERO #FamilyFacilitator #WeAreD87

📣🏫 VINTAGE YEARBOOK SALE!
Do you know someone who attended BHS in the past? Share the news!
We’re rolling back the years at the BHS Homecoming Game by selling vintage yearbooks dating from 1911 to 2024! Each book costs $20, and your purchase supports the Yearbook Club’s new camera equipment and assists students who need help purchasing a yearbook.
🌟 Preorder your piece of Raider history! Email baezk@district87.org by Thursday, Sept 25th, to reserve a specific yearbook for pickup at the game or browse available copies at the Homecoming game on Friday, Sept 26th!
Unable to make it to the game? Don't worry—your vintage yearbook can be picked up at BHS after Homecoming.
Buy a piece of D87 history and contribute to a wonderful cause!
#WeAreD87


The school year may have started, but we still have some new staff to introduce! Tandy is joining D87 this year as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L)! Last year, she was working in a pediatric outpatient clinic in West Palm Beach, Florida—but now, she’s excited to return to the same district where she went to school as a child and become part of the D87 family once again!
Tandy has been a COTA for 18 years and has worked with individuals ranging from age 3 to 98 in various settings. Though she’s enjoyed helping people across all age groups, Pediatrics has always been her favorite, and she’s looking forward to working with an interdisciplinary team to help children learn and grow through Occupational Therapy.
In her free time, Tandy loves spending time with her family and her cute Yorkie, ZOE 🐾.
Welcome back to the D87 family, Tandy! 💜💛💜💛
#WelcomeToD87 #WeAreD87

#BHS2025 #ClaimYourDiploma #WeAreD87

Last Friday, the 6I Team at BJHS had a blast turning into junior archaeologists, using toothpicks to carefully extract chocolate chip "artifacts" from cookies. It was a fun, hands-on way to learn about the precision required in archaeology and the patience it takes to uncover history— one dig at a time, or in their case, one crumb at a time. 🍪
#JuniorArchaeologists #WeAreD87





This month, we’re introducing our amazing Family Facilitators, who are helping every student become an Attendance H.E.R.O. (Here. Everyday. Ready. On-Time)! 🎉 First up is Nancy Sanchez, who works with the Bent Superstars!🌟
💬 What she loves about her role:
“I enjoy helping families and students in the best way possible.”
🎉 Fun Fact: Nancy is an avid runner! She’s completed over ten half marathons and four full marathons! This year, she’s gearing up for her fifth marathon in Memphis, TN to support St. Jude. 🏃♀️
🤝 Connection is Key:
Nancy believes in listening—sometimes a listening ear will make all the difference in making that connection with her superstars.
📢 Message to Families:
“I’m so excited and privileged to be working for you, the families of District 87. I will do everything I can to help YOU, and your little ones have a great school year!”
Let’s cheer Nancy on as she helps every student shine as an Attendance H.E.R.O. this year! 🎉
#AttendanceHERO #BentSuperstars #WeAreD87

Tonight, BHS takes on U-High at Hancock Stadium! Before heading out, here are some important details:
📌 BHS Students:
• Park in Parking 1 or Parking 2 (see map)
• Enter through Gate 4
• Bring your BHS Student ID
• Sit in Section 121
• Tickets are cash only – $4.00
📌 Adult Spectators:
• Park in N or S Lots
• Use Gate 1 or Gate 4 to enter
• Sit in Sections 122 & 123
• Tickets are cash only – $6.00
Let’s pack the stands and cheer on the Raiders! 🎯💥
#GameDay #GoRaiders #WeAreD87

What a fintastic way to start the year—here’s to more Shark Wear Wednesday fun ahead! 🦈🎉
A special shoutout to the BHS Dance Team and the sponsors for making this day possible:
➡️ Sullivan Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
➡️ Digger's Again
➡️ First Mid Bank & Trust
➡️ Eastland Companion Animal Hospital
#FinsUp #SharkWearWednesday #WeAreD87
#FireSafety #CommunityHeroes #WeAreD87
Our amazing D87 family facilitators have donned their superhero capes, aiming to make sure that every student becomes an Attendance H.E.R.O - Here. Everyday. Ready. On-Time. Let's all commit to making attendance a priority this month and beyond!
#AttendanceMatters #AttendanceHERO #WeAreD87


Today, we take a moment to honor the hard work and achievements of workers across the nation.
On this Labor Day, we are grateful for our staff, educators, and supportive families who make it great to be in D87.
Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing Labor Day! 🌟
#LaborDay #HonoringHardWork #WeAreD87

Please share this with any family or friends who could benefit from this free course🌐
#AdultEducation #EnglishLearning #LanguageInclusion #LearningTogether #WeAreD87


🚫🏫 Reminder: No School & D87 Buildings Closed This Monday!
Attention D87 families! Please note that there will be NO SCHOOL and all district buildings will be closed on Monday, September 1st, in observance of Labor Day.
Enjoy the long weekend and take this time to relax and spend moments with family and friends! We'll see everyone back in class on Tuesday, September 2nd! 🌟

Dr. Mouser has been making surprise visits to classrooms at BHS to celebrate some amazing educators whose students scored above the national average on their AP exams last spring. It's quite the achievement and deserves recognition!
👏👏🏾👏🏼Applause to:
📚 Sara Poland for Calculus
📖 Mary Ross for English Language/Composition
✍️ Thomas Waterson for English Literature/Composition
🎼 Jarrett DeFields for Music Theory
📈 Niall Mulcahy and Kayla Smock for Precalculus
🇺🇸 Rich Baldwin for US Government
Thank you for your commitment, and a heartfelt thank you to ALL our educators and staff who dedicate themselves to our students' success every day!
#ExcellenceInEducation #TopAPScores #Congrats #WeAreD87
Teamwork in action! Two students in Mrs. Mizell's class at Sheridan were spotted working together in math centers today—learning is always better together! 🧮✨
#ClassroomMoments #Teamwork #WeAreD87


But that's not all— the iMPACT picnic brought our multilingual parent advisory council together for a day filled with laughter, food, and great company! The spirit and unity of the D87 community were in the spotlight at Miller Park this weekend!
#CulturalFest #iMPACTPicnic #CommunityVibes #WeAreD87

#SeniorSunrise #ClassOf2026 #WeAreD87








